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Longtime Movie Lobbyist Valenti Dead at 85

Posted Apr 27, 07 7:39 AM CDT in US,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Despite being neither movie star nor studio exec, Jack Valenti was one of Hollywood's most influential figures. An era ended Thursday when the longtime president of the film industry's trade association died at his home in Washington. The veteran lobbyist, who also served in the Johnson administration, was 85 and had suffered a stroke in March.

Valenti's enduring legacy is the system of ratings the Motion Picture Industry Association of America instituted under his leadership. The head of the MPAA from 1966 to 2004, he is also remembered for his hostility to new technology—he once compared the VCR to the Boston Strangler—and vehement defense of copyrights.

Source CNN

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Jack Valenti arrives for a premiere of the movie "The Alamo" in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, March 27, 2004.   (KRT Photos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Animated Jack Valenti, and his cheeks, on old-school WB cartoon "Freakaziod!" Fun fact: Craig Ferguson is the voice of Roddy MacStew.   (vanetz (YouTube))
A clip from the documentary "This Film Is Not Yet Rated."   (timberlax (YouTube))
Tub Ring - The Life and Times of Jack Valenti (live)   (mcferglestein (YouTube))

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movie  • film  • obituary  • Hollywood  • death  • lobbyist  • Lyndon Johnson  • MPAA


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